Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-10-24
CIVIL SERVICE
COMMISSIONER EDGBRTONS VIEWS

WASHINGTON, October 22.-CiyIl Ser
vie Commissioner Edgrrton, during an
interview had with him by al Associated
Press reporter yesterday, was asked II, in
his opinion, Government clerks aud other
employees had a right unabridged by the
civil service law To associate themselves
together a a society OF a>s,rlaliuu tOT the
purpose Of advancing tine interests Of any
political party, ard whether such society
OF association has a right to assess its
members or to receive from them, directly
or Indirectly, contributions for political
purposes.
"Uuquestionahly they have that light, -
replied Mr.. EdgertOu When person
has successfully passed civil service eX-
animation, and has been duly certified and
permanently appointed to the classified
service, there the authority at the Com
mission cease, and his action thereafter
IL controlled by the appointing power
From that moment his action is outside
tbe control, authority, influence or power
Of the Civil Service Commission. lie il
entirely outside of their jurisdiction
But" queried the reporter, lis not the
commission charged with the enforcement
of the Civil Service Law, and does not that
law prohibit such contributions
section Is, I the act of January 10,
l--f. says that
No OFFICER, CLERK,
or other person in the service Oft the United
States, shall directly or indirectly give Il
hand over to any other officers, clerk, or
psIson in the service of the United States
| ur tO any Senator OF member OF the House
af Representatives, or Territorial Dele
yates, any money or any other valuable
thing, Oh account OF OF TO be applied To the
promotion of any polite object whatever. s"
| is not the Civil Service Commissioners
responsible for the enforcement OF that
law in it's letter and spirit?'
Certainly it is" said hr. Edgerton,
| but that law has nothing 20 do with in
diyiduals Outside of their offices or official
| positions. Nothing is said about aSsOcia.
tons; the commission is not licensed as a
detective association, nor clothed with It's
| functions or authority.
Ex.COmmissiOnerS Eaton and Gregory,
10 4 letter to the President, dated October
| ~, 1895, state that it badly need be said
| that the commission has no authority con-
| corning the enforcement of the criminal
provisions of the civil service act. The
| President, in his circular letter of July II,
1896, to heads of departments, says that
INDIVIDUAL INTEREST AND ACTIVITY
in political affairs are by no means com,
mended. Ofice-hOlders are neither dis
franchised nor forbidden the exercise Of
political privileges, but their privileges
are not enlarged, nor Is their duty to party
increased to pernicious activity by office
holding"
Can anything be palmer in its mean
ing than that ," said MIR. Edgerton. Doe:
the President, anywhere III that letter, in
innate that clerk must become pOlih
cal mute? No, sir. Ii il perniciOuS &C
tivity. 1t is the brawling OficiOusues
that the President condemns, rs do al
right thinking men, but an honest eftOr
in the interest of the party in whose prin
Eciples he believes, is cOmmPndable.
What are your views in regard to Mr.
IOberley's recent order, that members o
any political commission or association, u
any one engaged IN the work of promoting
the interests OF any political party, shall
not he eligible for appointment on boards
lot civil service examiners" was asked;
II think such an order is not justified
by the law or any order made by the PreSi
dent 1t involves political inquiry, by thu
commission, a right or privilege denied /
by the law" was the reply. He Nigh
as well order that any man
BELONGING To ANY PARTY
OF religious society shall be Ineligible 70
appointment on such board" mo sir,
he continued. An of this is outside of tn,
jurisdiction of the civil service commits
sion. thoroughly believe in an homes
Interpretation Of the civil service law.
believe in enforcing that law in the man
ner Congress intended to have it enforced
But | do not believe in strainiDg afte
something nobody knows what, for politi
cal or personal effect, and / believe tina
!, the President and three-f0urths of th,
Democratic party will sustain my posi-
ton
Governor Gordon to stump Ohio.
ATLANTA, GA, October 22.-Goverpo
John Gordon will enter the State cam
paign IN Ohio next week, where he Ia